I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 402 Every master knows that teaching a disciple will lead to the master's starvation, yet they also hope that the disciple will surpass the master.

"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have found it hard to believe. There's absolutely no sign of anything amiss inside."

Outside the barrier, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the seemingly unchanged Forest of Death with a look of admiration. Beside him, Ryūma nodded and said:

"If it weren't for the ability to sense that the Forest of Death is covered by chakra, this place would be no different from any other day. And if we didn't know what was inside beforehand, even if we sensed the barrier, we probably wouldn't be able to guess the truth."

Since the cleanup and demolition project in the Death Forest was completed, Longjian has been working with the sealing team to assist Chenma. During this time, he has personally witnessed Chenma transform this place little by little.

Before it was officially activated, Longjian wasn't really sure either. After all, that was the Nine-Tails. How powerful would a barrier have to be to withstand the Nine-Tails' attack?

And now it seems that Tatsuma has indeed succeeded. His sealing technique skills have probably surpassed everyone in Konoha. Perhaps only Mito-sama's sealing technique and the First Hokage's Wood Release sealing technique can defeat Tatsuma.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement, but then frowned slightly and asked, turning his head, "I heard that Tatsuma involved the Uchiha clan in the construction?"

"Only Uchiha Tenpu participated. Tatsuma said he was someone he could completely trust. In addition, the genjutsu team couldn't actually realize Tatsuma's idea, and Shinku wasn't in the village, so Uchiha Tenpu was involved."

Longjian explained, without much concern in his tone. Initially, he was against Tatsuma involving Tenfeng, but after spending some time with him, he discovered that Tenfeng was an atypical Uchiha.

To be honest, the blood from the Senju clan in Ryūji's body didn't seem to be averse to Tenka.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained expressionless and said in a low voice, "The Uchiha clan does indeed have unique expertise in genjutsu. Just the two-tomoe Amaterasu is enough to solve a problem that even the genjutsu team couldn't solve."

Longjian was taken aback and said, "Didn't that kid already have three tomoe?"

"Um?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone grew increasingly strange, and Ryoma's gaze also became odd as he cautiously asked, "Hokage-sama, how long has it been since you last paid attention to personnel changes in the Anbu?"

"What do you mean?"

"Tianfeng submitted an update to his personal file a few months ago. Even I, an outsider, have heard about it. Now everyone is saying that Tianfeng is a late-blooming genius."

"months ago?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, but quickly relaxed, because he remembered what Tenka might have gone through a few months ago, something that Tatsuma had mentioned in his mission report.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also knew about the "past" between Suyui and Tenka. If it were him, it would be understandable to let Tenka evolve from two tomoe to three tomoe. However, didn't it say that Tatsuma and the others did not fight Suyui?

As for encountering his enemy again, it has reached this point. In just two years, he has evolved from someone who hadn't even opened his eyes to someone with three tomoe. This is truly unimaginable.

According to Hiruzen Sarutobi's information, Tenka only awakened his Sharingan two years ago after he discovered information about Suzuyui. In just two years, his Sharingan has evolved again. This kid's potential may really be underestimated.

However, after processing the information, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not praise Takama's reminder; instead, he glared at him.

Fortunately, there were only two people around. If others knew that he, the Hokage, was unaware of his subordinates' progress and had even shown some suspicion along the way, wouldn't that give people something to talk about?

But to be fair, Tatsuma has a really good eye for talent. With Minato, Sento, Tenfu, and Shikaku who was recently recruited, his direct line of recruits is already taking shape.

This is only the most direct line of personnel, and Tatsuma has more than just that. Apart from the Hyuga clan, which seems to be somewhat dissatisfied with Tatsuma, other ninja clans or mid-level ninjas are very fond of and supportive of him.

This kid is like a torch in the forest at night, naturally attracting people to gather. Perhaps this is why Tatsuma, despite his unclear background, was able to gain the recognition of the Senju clan.

This kid has a special quality that is unique to the Senju clan, or even to the leaders of the Senju clan.

Inside the barrier, the forest was already in ruins. The three Sannin refused Minato's offer to send them out, since they all knew Tatsuma's secret, so Minato didn't force them.

The three legendary Sannin were perched on a tree, watching Kushina, who had now unleashed seven tails and whose body was completely covered in black and red chakra. Jiraiya asked:

"Is this pretty much the limit of Kushina's body? Unless Kurama wants to take Kushina down with him, this is about the extent she can go."

The Uzumaki bloodline is indeed amazing, and Kushina's talent is also very good, but she is still too young. Her body is still developing. Although she has far surpassed most of her peers, she cannot fully contain the power of the Nine-Tails.

Tatsuma also felt that Kushina was nearing her limit, because after so long, the eighth tail of the Nine-Tails had not yet appeared. After all, Kushina had a whole Nine-Tails inside her.

What puzzled Tatsuma was that Kurama had not used the Tailed Beast Ball yet. The Tailed Beast Ball was the final step in testing the barrier. If the barrier could not withstand the first wave of impact from the Tailed Beast Ball, then it would need to be improved.

Although Chenma believed that there was nothing wrong with his design and layout, sometimes it is still necessary to put it into practice.

"Could it be that the Eight Trigrams Seal absorbed too much of the Nine-Tails' chakra? Or..."

Seeing the Nine-Tails' somewhat awkward running posture, Tatsuma used the Flying Thunder God Technique again, dodging the Nine-Tails' charge like a matador. Orochimaru, in the distance, also spoke up:

"The Nine-Tails at this level is already terrifying enough, but it seems to be trying to take over Kushina's body. And at the same time, Kushina is also adapting to the Nine-Tails' power."

This barrier is truly an amazing creation. It continuously draws upon the Nine-Tails' chakra, ensuring that Kushina is never knocked unconscious by the impact of the Nine-Tails' chakra. Her chakra and the Nine-Tails' chakra have already begun to intertwine.

The tug-of-war between them prevented Kushina from regaining control of her body, while Kurama (the Nine-Tails) was also affected by her will, unable to take over the body and use its power as freely as before.

As Orochimaru spoke, his eyes lit up and the corners of his mouth turned up. Whether it was the Nine-Tails or Kushina with the Uzumaki bloodline, they were both very precious experimental subjects in Orochimaru's eyes.

Unfortunately, he probably won't have the opportunity to experiment with his own conjectures on this material in the short term.

Minato, who had somehow appeared beside the Sannin, frowned and looked in Kushina's direction, saying, "She must be in a lot of pain right now, right?"

Jiraiya reached out and pinched Minato's nape, saying, "Don't underestimate Kushina. She hasn't given up yet. She's a powerful ninja, just like Tsunade and Lady Mito."

You've convinced Kushina of herself, and she's clearly listened to you. Now, it's your turn to believe in Kushina.

"I know, teacher, it's just that not being able to share the burden with her makes me feel useless."

Minato nodded, but his expression didn't ease much. Jiraiya stared at him for a while before saying, "Go to Mount Myōboku sometime. It's time."

Upon hearing this, Minato was taken aback, then realized what was happening and looked at Jiraiya with some disbelief. Jiraiya raised his hand from the back of Minato's neck and gently patted it, saying:

"Your growth has far exceeded my expectations. I know that Tatsuma and Kushina put a lot of pressure on you, but you successfully turned that pressure into motivation. It's time, and your teacher believes in you."

Minato was deeply moved, but Orochimaru said quietly, "Jiraiya has clearly mastered Sage Mode, which is why he agreed to let you learn it, to prevent you from surpassing him. Don't be fooled by him."

Upon hearing this, Minato's emotion involuntarily ceased. With a hint of inquiry, he looked at his teacher, Jiraiya, whose face flushed red, and said:

"You stinking snake, do you think I'm as petty as you?! I teach my disciples everything I know!"

"Why didn't you say anything last time? Wasn't your Sage Mode still half-baked? Now that you're a little more familiar with it, you feel comfortable letting Minato learn it. Your poor acting skills can't fool me, you loser."

After Orochimaru finished speaking, Jiraiya quickly denied it, saying, "No way! Minato, don't listen to him. Sensei was just scouting for you! Sage Mode is too dangerous."

Only by paving the way for you as your teacher can I guide you in your spiritual practice and prevent you from going astray.

"I believe in you, teacher."

Minato nodded, and Jiraiya breathed a sigh of relief. However, Tsunade, who had been silent until now, suddenly said, "Just some words of experience. Tatsuma can teach you that too."

"Well, there are differences between Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest, after all."

Jiraiya wanted to explain, but he didn't know where to begin. Of course, he couldn't possibly be delaying Minato's studies because he was afraid of being overtaken by his disciple.

Although he was indeed afraid of being surpassed by his disciple, he also looked forward to it. The reason he didn't let Minato study before was firstly because Minato's own conditions were not yet sufficient, and secondly because, as he said, he hoped to give Minato some guidance.

However, Minato's chakra reserves are indeed not as high as his teacher's right now, but compared to Tatsuma two years ago, the difference is not too great. Two years ago, Tatsuma was able to enter Sage Mode, so it is not impossible for Minato to do so now as well.

Furthermore, he had indeed gained some insights, to the point where it was time for Minato to try them out, but he had already stated all of this, and Orochimaru and Tsunade easily refuted it. As for other, more convincing reasons...

Just as Jiraiya was racking his brains, Minato suddenly grabbed him from behind. After a dizzying moment, Orochimaru's voice came: "You need your disciple to save your life? You're a disgrace, you loser."

Jiraiya, belatedly realizing what had happened, looked at the tree where the others had been lying down. Not only was the tree gone, but the entire area was now in ruins.

"Tailed Beast Ball?"

Jiraiya asked, and Minato shook his head, saying, "It's just an unstable chakra turbulence, but you could also call it a Tailed Beast Ball. It just seems to be severely disrupted and completely chaotic."

After exhaling the chaotic flow of chakra, Kurama stood up again, no longer feeling extremely out of place. It seemed to have gradually adapted to and taken over its body.

"roar!"

After raising its head and roaring angrily, the positive and negative chakra unique to tailed beasts continued to condense, and a purplish-black chakra ball gradually formed.

The three legendary Sannin and Minato were fully prepared for battle, while Tatsuma, facing the Nine-Tails, couldn't help but clench his fist and glance at the invisible barrier. The final test was finally about to begin.

"Bang!"

(End of this chapter)